Local food influencer Tallonn Zeparti launches premium product

There’s no greater love than the love of food. And no one can relate to this more than Tallonn Zeparti. The local food influencer has spent years enticing other palates with delicious culinary content. And today, he has released his very own premium product: dulce de leche caramel spreads.

“I wanted to create something versatile and delicious that people could enjoy. The first time I tasted dulce de leche, I thought, ‘Jamaica needs this’. Plus, I wanted to show others that they can create something special too,” he told Food.

Filling the void in the island’s gastronomic space, the moment this creamy, milky caramel spread hit his taste buds, he knew that he had created something special, “Made locally, using only the finest, locally sourced ingredients, Tallonn’s Dulce de Leche is a true labour of love,” he shared.

Officially released on the market on September 2, it took some time and patience to perfect the recipe. The tweaking and refining resulted in a product that he is super proud to have created. “Our fresh, farm-to-table approach means that every can is filled with the richness and warmth of our island. We’ve poured our passion for food into perfecting this recipe, and the result is something I can’t wait for you to experience,” he added.

The premium caramel spread comes in two flavours: creamy caramel and island flavour creamy caramel, “Our Island Flavor Dulce de Leche with nutmeg, cinnamon, and local spices is something we all grew up loving.”

Noting that this isn’t your average ‘caramel’, it’s the best thing on sliced bread, ideal as a spread, a filler or topping for baked goods and added sweetness to your morning coffee and smoothies.

“Seeing my product on the shelves was a dream come true. I was overjoyed and proud that my vision and hard work had become a reality. The product is already selling out pretty quickly. And the response has been incredible so far; I couldn’t be happier,” he revealed.

But this comes as no surprise since Zeparti is no stranger to flavour. Born Ortolan Powell, he explained that he has always been a lover of food. “I was the child that would cry if I only had one sandwich biscuit in one hand, and my mom would split it in two to satisfy me! Growing up, they used to call me ‘belly boy’ because of my love for food.”

Over time, he developed a deeper interest after his journey into creating content. “It all began when I saw a guy selling porridge on Olympic Way with a huge crowd around him. I was curious as to why no one had ever highlighted him before, so I made a video. It went viral, and the rest is history,” he said.

He realised soon after that there were so many hidden gastronomic gems across the island worth exploring and he wanted to share their stories with the world, “The features weren’t just about the food, but about the people, their struggles, and the hard work they put in to get where they are. They haven’t had the spotlight they deserve. People love a good story just as much as they love good food.”

Three years in, he is elated that he found a tasty groove in providing quality food content. “It has been quite a journey of hard work, consistency, and learning to focus on myself; not the noise around me.”

His food ventures include trips to Chef Boss Fried Dumplings, Calle Fiesta (for their quesadillas and wings), Bulbie Soups, and First Bite in Portmore (for their great customer service and their English breakfast), just to name a few.

As an entrepreneur and content creator, he hopes to inspire others. “Someone once told me that it was the first time he had ever seen a black man on a can. And that made me so proud. It showed me that doing this could inspire others just like me to create something or build on an idea that others will love. Anything is possible; the sky’s the limit.”

He also shared, “I want people to enjoy a little bit of home, especially if they’re abroad. It’s about providing value to the local food scene, showing what’s possible, and making people smile with something delicious.”

The hope is to expand his line and partner with local manufacturers to produce other products. Tallonn’s Premium Dulce de Leche is available in Kingston at General Foods, Brooklyn Supermarket at Twin Gates Plaza and Half-Way Tree, Loshusan Barbican and Loshusan/John R Wong Supermarket in New Kingston, Lee’s Food Fair on Washington Boulevard and Red Hills Road, and The Lemongrass Tea Room at Devon House.

krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com